The next day, I accepted Astina's proposal.

Honestly, it was difficult to refuse.

Of course, the arrangement was only until the end of the event that take place after midterms.

That was the maximum duration I had in mind.

And there was another reason:

I believed that I could use the student council position well when the story progressed to the extra classes.

Upon agreeing, I received the answer sheets immediately through the maid.

Receiving the sheets made me feel a bit uneasy.

Nevertheless, since I wasn't officially joining the student council and was just temporarily helping out, it didn't seem to be a big problem.

The secretary role didn't involve doing anything in front of others, and as Astina said, having the sheets could shorten my study time.

Upon reflection, I was getting a tremendous benefit from this arrangement.

However, that's what made it feel more unsettling.

What did they want from me in return for giving me this?

Thinking about it, answer sheets weren't exactly a precious item.

No matter how valuable the answer sheet was, basic knowledge was still the most important thing.

Yet, for me, it was an incredibly valuable resource.

I didn't have connections or information.

But I take pride in studying as hard as anyone, if not more.

I even spent the time I could have used to gain connections or other information studying.

If I had the answer sheets of previous exams, it would be like having wings to soar.

With increased study efficiency, I could also invest more time in magic training.

Astina was aware of this fact as well.

She knew that if she used the answer sheets of previous exams as a condition, I would likely accept any reasonable proposal.

However, Astina's proposed condition wasn't a big deal.

It was something I would have accepted even without any conditions.

If I participated in the student council during my first year, it would guarantee me a high-ranking position in the student council during my second year.

But this condition was far from ideal for me.

When I become a second-year student, Princess Rie must take the position of student council president.

In the game, Rudy Astria and Princess Rie compete for the student council president position through an election.

Of course, it was a crushing defeat for Rudy Astria.

But, if I were to join the student council, wouldn't people's perception of me change?

If I become the student council president in my second year, it would be a headache.

I wouldn't have time to study, so what kind of student council president would I be?

It was an exquisite mix of an appealing condition and a proposal I wanted to avoid.

"Maybe it's not a coincidence that she's the top student..."

It seemed like she had done her homework on me.

I started to worry.

The image of Rudy Astria I wanted to portray was unlikable but not terrible.

But now, perceptive people were starting to see through me.

At this rate, my image would become that of a hardworking high-ranking noble's child.

Should I start causing trouble in front of Evan?

***

The next day, I headed to the place where the student council was gathering after class.

"Oh, Rudy Astria's here?"

There were a few people inside, besides Astina.

Most of them were wearing green scarves, so they must be second-year students.

Only one person wore a red scarf.

"Let me introduce the student council members. This is the vice president..."

I half-listened and let the information go in one ear and out the other.

There was no reason to remember the names of people I wouldn't see much.

Instead, I was interested in the one first-year student present.

He had a plump body and sharp eyes.

His face looked familiar.

"And this is Locke Lucarion, a first-year student like you. Have you heard of him?"

The son of the Northern Marquis, mentioned by Princess Rie.

It was Locke Lucarion.

"Doesn't it bother you to be around such a country bumpkin, young master?"

Locke approached me and sneered.

"Locke."

Astina then reprimanded him.

"Yes, yes, I understand."

Locke casually replied and stepped back.

I recalled that Locke participated in the student council during his first year.

I smirked arrogantly.

There was no reason to appear weak to someone who started a fight like that.

"You're quite the barbarian. Is everyone from the North like this?"

"What did you say?"

Locke tried to confront me with a fierce expression, but Astina stopped him with an outstretched hand.

"Rudy Astria, restrain yourself. This is our first meeting."

Astina's face was different from usual, exuding authority.

"Understood."

Locke Lucarion.

He was one of the prominent supporting characters in the Swordsmanship Department.

In the future, he would become the vice-president of Princess Rie's student council.

Of course, he frequently stood out in other events as well.

Due to his unique, easygoing, and bold personality, he was one of the likable male characters around Evan.

Although I didn't know why he was currently in Astina's student council, it was good news for me.

For starters, he had a lot of combat experience in the north, so he excelled at swordsmanship but was quite dense.

This meant that he was easy to manipulate.

Anyway, he wasn't someone that had much influence in the story, so I could use him as I pleased.

The only problem was that Princess Rie was behind him.

"Let's end it here for today. We'll gather again on the weekend to discuss how we'll run the election campaign."

With Astina's words, everyone prepared to leave.

As I was about to leave, Astina grabbed me.

"Rudy Astria, stay for a moment."

As Astina said this, Locke grinned, seemingly pleased, and left.

After everyone else had gone, I asked Astina a question.

"What's the matter?"

"I called you to discuss the upcoming election."

There was only one thing to say about the election.

"Do you want me to stay out of it?"

Honestly, even if I were to do something here, Astina would become president.

Her opponent was an extra with no known name or face.

It didn't seem like they were that famous in the academy either.

So, it was practically set in stone that Astina would become president.

However, the biggest obstacle here was probably me.

If word got out that I had joined the student council, some people might cast votes against her just to oppose me.

It could be backlash against the Astria family or actions driven by dislike for me, but it was certain that I was an obstacle in the student council president election.

However, what I heard next was completely contrary.

"I was going to ask you to help with the election campaign."

"...Excuse me?"

"You have a valuable name, Astria. So, if you participate in the campaign, won't it help?"

Astina grinned as she spoke.

"..."

What was she trying to do?

Even the dim-witted Locke would know that this wasn't a rational decision.

"I'm leaving the first-year side to you and Locke. I don't know much about the first-years anyway."

Astina definitely knew more first-year students than I did.

I wondered what her intentions were in saying this.

"Fine... I understand."

I wanted to say it was absurd, but I held back.

Someone else would advise her, even if I didn't.

It would also be strange for me, who had only recently met her, to comment.

"Alright, see you next time."

Astina waved with a smile.

I didn't know what she was thinking, but she was smart, so I believed she would handle it.

With that, I headed to Professor Cromwell's office.

Professor Cromwell's office.

"Even though he was called a young wolf, he's just a harmless puppy."

Professor Robert spoke, half-lying on the sofa.

"Aren't puppies and wolf cubs similar at that age?"

Professor Cromwell, wearing glasses he didn't usually wear, replied while looking at some documents.

"I heard he's arrogant and rude, so I thought an interesting guy had finally arrived, but he's just a harmless pushover."

"Are you sure you saw the real Rudy Astria? Last time, he got mad at me and handing in a blank exam."

Robert protested, getting up from the sofa as he listened to Cromwell's laughter.

"Either way, do you think I would mistake someone else for him? The student council brought him, so it must be right."

"What made you so curious that you went to the student council?"

"He's from the Astria family, and his personality seemed interesting, but he's nothing special. Are siblings' personalities usually so different?"

"They grew up in different environments, so wouldn't that be the case?"

Rudy's older brother, who grew up receiving attention from everyone.

And Rudy Astria, who didn't receive any attention at all.

Cromwell thought the difference in their personalities was inevitable.

"Just looking at him made me feel bad, but not as bad as his brother."

"Why do you hate him so much? He was polite to the professors and had good social skills."

Robert shook his head as if exasperated.

"I hate those kinds of people the most. They lack humanity. Humanity."

Robert then got up and went towards the door.

"Are you leaving?"

"Of course."

As Robert opened the door to leave, someone was standing in front of it.

"Um?"

It was Rudy Astria.

"Hello, Professor Robert."

"Did you hear?"

Robert bluntly asked Rudy.

"What do you mean?"

Rudy asked back, expressionless.

"If you didn't hear, it's fine. Are you here to see Cromwell?"

"Yes."

"Cromwell, Rudy Astria is coming in."

"I see. Come in."

Robert said that and went on his way.

Rudy glanced at the departing Robert and then entered Professor Cromwell's office.

"Professor, hello."

"What brings you here? You could ask questions during class time."

"It's not related to class. It's about something I'm studying separately."

"What is it?"

Cromwell took off the glasses he was wearing and asked.

Rudy showed him a piece of paper.

"It's a Silent Magic Circle. I'm thinking of a range of about 100 meters in radius from the casting location."

Cromwell looked back and forth between the magic circle and Rudy Astria.

The magic circle was better made than he expected.

Especially the efficiency of the magic circle, meaning it was designed to use minimal mana during casting.

However, there were many flaws.

"If you draw it like this, it will activate in a smaller area than an ordinary Silent Magic Circle, let alone 100 meters."

Cromwell picked up the fountain pen in front of him and checked the problems with the magic circle.

"For Silent Magic, you should use the duplication rune instead of the enhancement rune to expand the range. If you use the enhancement rune, it will only eliminate louder noises within that space. And you can improve this part by recalculating the formula."

Professor Cromwell closely examined the magic circle while speaking indifferently.

He then asked Rudy Astria.

"Did you create this magic circle by yourself?"

"No, I made it with Luna Railer. Luna took care of the control sector while I crafted the inner magic formula."

"Luna Railer, huh?"

The student who caught Professor Mcguire's attention last time.

Professor Cromwell was slightly surprised, as the magic circle's control sector and arrangement of formulas were almost at an assistant's level.

This maximized the efficiency of the magic formula.

'As for the magic formula...'

However, the magic formula that Rudy Astria had created was only at the level of an outstanding student.

"Hmm..."

Professor Cromwell handed the paper with the magic formula back to Rudy.

"It seems you need to study more about magic circles. Although my class is practical, you should put more effort into theory classes as well."

Professor Cromwell didn't hesitate to offer advice.

He appreciated seeing the discarded child of the Astria family studying diligently without becoming twisted.

He thought it was a professor's role to guide such a student well.

"But..."

He felt there was one more thing that needed guidance.

Cromwell narrowed his eyes and stared at Rudy Astria.

"Where do you plan to use that magic circle?"

Silent Magic circles were prohibited from being sold.

Even if they were sold, records of the buyers were kept somewhere.

Silent Magic itself was treated cautiously since it was so useful for criminal purposes.

However, it was also famous among wizards as a good magic to study.

Because its activation method was unique compared to other magic, it was recommended to learn at Liberion Academy.

The academy was a learning and research institution.

Thus, they allowed the use of even magic of dubious use outside for research or study purposes.

Of course, the user would be responsible if any scandalous incidents occurred.

"It's just for studying."

Rudy looked straight into Cromwell's eyes without avoiding them.

After a brief staring contest, Cromwell sighed.

"Ha... Fine. I understand."

He added further.

"I won't inquire more because you're a diligent and passionate student. So, be careful with your actions."

"I'll keep that in mind."

With no change in expression, Rudy Astria replied and walked towards the door.

Professor Cromwell called out to him.

"Rudy Astria."

"…?"

After a brief pause, Professor Cromwell said.

"Just make sure it won't cause any trouble."

"…Understood."

With that, Rudy Astria left the room.

"How could that guy be a puppy?"

A Silent Magic spell that activated within a 100-meter radius of a person.

Anyone could see it was a magic circle to prevent criminal disturbances.

"Baron Williams was it...?"

What a foolish guy.

He should have chosen his target wisely, but he messed with the wrong person.

***

The next day, after class ended.

"Ru-Rudy Astria?"

A guy with a red head, probably from the Baron William's family, stood before me.

Delinquents always seem to like these narrow alleys.

A narrow alley with a lone person.

The perfect situation to educate someone.

I took out the prepared scroll in advance.

As the top student, I had received a scroll with the Silent Magic engraved on it.

"What is it?"

-Tear

As I tore the scroll, a bright light leaked out.

"Wha... what's going on?"

I walked forward and opened my mouth.

"Let's get started."

***

Woah another one just like that! Thanks transhumanist Sykes for sponsoring this chappy!

Enjoy the chappy! Rudy going badass here.